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Scotland: Skacel strike sees leaders hold Celtic

THERE can be winners in a draw. After an engrossing match between Celtic and Hearts finished 1-1, Rangers can close the gap on both with a win at Dundee United today. We are still wondering if it is a three-horse race for the Premierleague but the doubt concerns only whether Alex McLeish’s team will join in, as they are 10 points off the pace set by George Burley’s impressive side.

Making light of the loss of first-choice goalkeeper Craig Gordon to suspension, Hearts came back from conceding an early goal to Craig Beattie’s deflected drive and reiterated their title credentials three weeks after their 1-0 win over Rangers at Tynecastle. In doing so, they stopped Celtic notching a sixth straight win in the Premierleague and extended their own unbeaten start to 10 matches.

“It flew by,” remarked Celtic manager Gordon Strachan of the match. “It was even more intense and